Jun 17, 2015

Finally, an N95 Mask for Kids!

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Remember this?
Photo from yahoo.com.sg

Back in June 2013, smokey haze shrouded Singapore as the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) soared past 400 - the highest in Singapore's history - no thanks to the raging fires in Indonesia. And the only way to I could protect my family and myself from the harmful airborne pollutants was to wear a protective mask when outdoors.

Fast forward to present day and while we have been relatively blessed not to have experienced such worse haze conditions since then, a new threat has emerged this time around. The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS virus for short, is a new and potentially deadly virus that has killed at least ten people and sickened dozens more in South Korea since last month, prompting travel warnings and a massive quarantine order. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath - just like many other less serious viruses, which makes MERS difficult to diagnose at first and is something that is reminiscent of the SARS outbreak we had here in 2003.

All these make the threat of MERS arriving on our shores very real and while our Ministry of Health has put measures in place to prevent the MERS outbreak in Singapore, it takes an irresponsible individual to ignite something potentially contagious. And the unfortunate happens, we will need those protective masks more than ever.

Problem is, the conventional N95 masks on the market are not certified for use in children. This is because in order for the N95 masks to be effective, they need to maintain a well-fitted seal at all times, which may be difficult to achieve in young children. Also, young children may find it uncomfortable to wear a tight-fitting mask and will very likely adjust the mask that is worn, reducing the effectiveness of the mask.

Well, not anymore.


Developed by ST Engineering subsidiary Innosparks, the Air+ Smart Mask has been developed for use by children aged seven and above. In fact, it comes in three sizes and was tested to assess its fit on children.

The first thing that struck me when I unpackaged the Smart Mask was how compact it was. It is flat-foldable so that it fits easily into pockets and bags.


In addition, the Smart Mask uses the latest research in nose cushion materials - and it is designed for Asian faces too! - to ensure a snug fit on different facial profiles, conforming to one's face to provide a good seal.

To allow for greater breathing comfort, the mask also has a built-in smart valve which is fitted on the inside of the mask. This makes it more efficient in venting out stale air as the exhalation jets directly open the valve, keeping it open for a longer period than normal valves.


But perhaps, the greatest selling point for me since I am now a parent is the Smart Mask is designed for almost everyone, including children as young as 7 years old. It comes in small, medium and large sizes, with the smallest size being suitable for face sizes of children 7 years or older. The Smart Mask also has adjustable straps which makes it easy for users to put on and ensure a comfortable fit for different head sizes.

Edited: A reader pointed out that Ash had worn his mask wrongly. The upper strap should have been above his ear, like how I worn mine. Sorry for the oversight.

Notice the little contraption that is protruding from Ash's mask in the above photo? This gem of an innovation is actually the world's first Micro Ventilator.


The AIR+ Micro Ventilator is a simple add-on micro ventilator that clips on to the Smart Mask to improve air circulation within the mask through the extraction of heat, moisture and accumulated carbon dioxide.


We know how breathing in recycled carbon dioxide leads to headaches, nausea, and dizziness - especially more so for children since they have shallower lungs and the elderly who have reduced lung capacity. Prolonged wearing of a protective mask leads to heat and moisture trapped within the mask, making it uncomfortable for the wearer.

But with the AIR+ Micro Ventilator, it can reduce humidity in the mask by up to 40% and temperature by up to 4°C hence, improving breathing comfort and resulting in cooler airflow over an extended period of time.

Attaching the AIR+ Micro Ventilator to the Smart Mask is a breeze too and it is so easy that the boys could do it all by themselves!


The AIR+ Micro Ventilator is powered by a built-in rechargeable lithium-polymer battery and can be charged via a USB cable (included in the package). It takes about an hour to be fully charged and can be used for up to 2 hours.


And even though the AIR+ Micro Ventilator is equipped with a fan, I was pleasantly surprised that noise from the ventilator has been isolated. In fact, I did not notice any difference when the ventilator was switched on!

As a system, the Smart Mask and AIR+ Micro Ventilator not only offers wearers adequate protection against airborne contaminants (such as haze particles and volcanic ash), wearers also experience improved breathing comfort and cooler airflow over extended period of time.

Previously, there was no viable option for parents who wish to protect their children against its harmful effects. Now with the AIR+ Smart Mask, all of us are better prepared.


I know, quite drama... but with the unpredictability nature of haze and airborne diseases, a parent can never be too prepared, or safe.

So not only is the Smart Mask N95-certified, it protects well (and better than current masks on the market) against viruses and pandemics such as SARS and MERS and the only product that is catered for children with a typical Asian facial profile. Pair it together with the AIR+ Micro Ventilator - which removes accumulated carbon dioxide that may cause discomfort and breathing difficulties - and parents can sleep easy.


[FLASH GIVEAWAY] CLOSED

Thanks to Innosparks, I have FIVE sets of Smart Masks and AIR+ Micro Ventilator to give away! Each set contains the following:

1. One Size S mask,
2. One Size M mask,
3. One Size L mask,
4. One AIR+ Micro Ventilator

To participate, simply complete the following steps:

1. LIKE AIR+ Smart Mask's Facebook Page HERE.
2. Leave a comment either in the comment section of this blog post OR on our Cheekiemonkies' Facebook corresponding post HERE, once you have done so.

*Important: You have to complete all two steps in order to be eligible for the giveaway.

*Giveaway closes on 16 September 2015, 5pm.

CONGRATULATIONS to the following winners!

You have each won a set of Smart Masks (one S, one M & one L) and AIR+ Micro Ventilator!

1. Amy Yeo
2. Koreen Hong
3. Jean Tan
4. Jessica Lee
5. Rosalind Leong

Please email me at kelvin@cheekiemonkie.net latest by 17 September 2015, 12pm for details on prize redemption. Else, I will pick another winner. Thanks!



The Smart Mask is retailing at $7.20 for a 3-piece pack, while the AIR+ Micro Ventilator is $29.90. Both are available at all Watsons Singapore and Watsons online store. For more details, visit www.airplus.sg.


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100 comments :

Joyce Chin said...

Hope to win this for my 1 and 3yrs old to protect them.

Unknown said...

Liked both pages!
Hope to win for my Kids!

Unknown said...

Hope to win for my girls...Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hope to win for my little ones who's having a bad throat

Gruffalos.mommy@gmail.com

girls and me said...

Liked and Shared
I would to win a set of mask for my girls.
FB: KaRen Ong
Email: karen_opk@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Hope to win. Liked the page and shared.

Ruby Lee (FB)
Rubytok@gmail.com

Mummy Kwa said...

liked n shared
Would like to win the mask for both my kids.

Unknown said...

Great Review.. Can't wait to get the masks.

Poh Liang Seng said...

Liked AIR + Smart Mask Facebook page. Hope to win this soon to fight the haze! Thanks.

The Huggy Pus said...

I hope I can win these wonderful masks for my family, especially I have babies and elderly folks.

Winnie said...

I have always have sensitive airways and it runs in the family unfortunately.
Hope to win one set to try

Email: ysilveer@hotmail.com
FB: Winnie Teo

Anonymous said...

Liked both page.
Liked and shared the post on FB.
Hope to win for my kids who have asthma.
FB: Sonia Yong

melateez said...

Love ur blog. cos u always shares the best info that we need like
the Air+Smart Mask. Hope im lucky enuff to get one too .=))

spicegalklsl said...

Hope to win this!

Yenny Lyne said...

Thanks for arranging this Giveway.
3 Sizes (S,M,L) just nice for my 3 kids (12 years, 10 years, and 3 years) and me.

Anonymous said...

Liked! Wish I can like this multiple times. :p
Email: kaylortan@gmail.com
Fb: Kaylor Tan

Anonymous said...

Liked & Shared
I would like to win the set for my son & nieces.
FB : Xueli Shirley Lee
Email : sh1rl3yl33@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I had liked and shared. I hope I can win the Air mask for my children aged 10 and 12. Especially for my 10yrs boy as he had sentivtive air way and sentivtive nose. Thank you so much. Email: Charleneangelazsh@gmail.com

cheongyy said...

DONE! LIKED and SHARED

I would really appreciate the gift very much
if I won them as I have 5 adults and 4 kids at home.
If the samples won are good, I'll buy more for
everyone in my household!

Thank You in Advance.
Meanwhile, take care everyone. Don't let the haze take you down!

Noor Fazillah said...

Hope to win this for my family and my 2 kids.
Liked & Shared done!

Unknown said...

Liked both page. 
Liked and shared the post.

👧👦👶

blessedone said...

Liked n shared. Hope to win for my children n family members


Facebook theresa tay

cheongyy said...


DONE! LIKED and SHARED.

I would really appreciate the gift very much
if I won them as I have 5 adults and 4 kids at home.
If the samples won are good, I'll buy more for
everyone in my household!

Thank You in Advance. Meanwhile, take care everyone.
Don't let the haze take you down!!

Anonymous said...

Liked and Shared
I would to win a set of mask for my kids.
FB: Jazlinlin Jaz
Email: kittylover305@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Liked and shared!!
I would love to win this set of mask for my kids, just in time for this horrible haze!!
Hope to win for my daughter is have chest infection now, resting at home!!
FB : Koreen Hong
Email : badylon@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Liked and share. I hope to win the air+ smart mask for myself and my kids aged 10 and 12. Especially myself and my son..who both of us had very sensitive airway. Hope we are lucky enough to to win for our family ☺️ thank you so much.
FB: Angela Charlene Zeng

Carol said...

Liked and shared

Anonymous said...

Hope I can win this fabulous product for my 3 young children.

eileenlim288@hotmail.com

lipp said...

Thank you for the giveaway. Hope to win for my family, especially for the kiddo. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Hope I can win this fabulous product for my 3 young children.

Email: eileenlim288@hotmail.com
FB: Eileen Lim

Yvonne C. said...

I've completed both steps necessary to participate in the draw! Good luck to everyone! :)

Jes-Genevieve said...

Completed both steps.. hope to win this for my 3 boys who have sensitive airways.. thank you for hosting this giveaway! =)

Email:jes.genevieve@live.com.sg

Ellen said...

Liked the page. Hope to win this for my girls (infant and toddler) and myself to fight the haze.
Email: gal1982@hotmail.com
FB: Ellen Huang

sista said...

The Air+Smart mask would be very useful.. would love to win it.
Thanks!

Unknown said...

Liked & shared!

Hope to win for my 2 boys!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

Page liked

Hope to win the masks for kids.

sleepygal said...

Liked and shared.
Hope to win for my child.

tony said...

Thanks for the giveaway! :)

elin.yubin said...

Did both steps.
Pray the lucky stars on me as most watsons are out of stock.
Hope to win the masks for myself with chronic asthma.

Unknown said...

Hope to win this for my daughter. Her nose is super sensitive.
FB: Serene Sermaine

Unknown said...

Liked & shared.
Hope to win it for my granny and my kids.

Unknown said...

Page liked. Hope to win this for the family.

CML said...

Done! :)

Peiting said...

Thanks for sharing the great news! Finally a product in the market to protect the more vulnerable from the haze!

chris said...

Hi, hope to win masks for my children. Thanks.

Chris - tanec69@gmail.com

Unknown said...

liked n shared. thks.

Prisquek said...

Thk you for the giveaway and for sharing about these masks! Hope I can get them for my kids😄

Unknown said...

Liked page. Hope to win for my daughter!!

Jean Ling said...

I wish to get for my girl at school for whole day everyday!

::: J V Bridal Gowns::: said...

Liked and shared!! I wanna win this for the little ones!

~~吳大娘 - 吳懿恩, 吳懿倖和吳勇樂的母亲大人~~ said...

Liked and Shared.. thanks for hosting this awesome giveaway :)

FB: Michelle GohOng

Email: gohonglay@yahoo.com.sg

Jingxian said...

Liked
Pick me!

MishPoh said...

Liked and shared.
Have 4kiddos (0,4,10,13) so i hope to get suitable mask for them.
Fb;: Mish Gan
Email: Mishpoh@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

have already like and share hope to ein for boy

Unknown said...

Liked and shared!
Hope to win this for my boys aged 6 & 8, they are starting to cough!

Shannelle Teo said...

liked and shared! Hope to win this for my girl who is turning 1 in 1 month's time! Haze is getting really bad these days. And my girl has been coughing non stop ever since 'it' (haze) returned. Every parent wants the best for their child especially their health. Thanks for organising this giveaway! With love😘

Jena Tan said...

Liked & Shared. Hope to win these for my 4 kiddies
FB: Jena Tan
jena_1209@whotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hope to win
Like no shared
Julie tan

del said...

Great news to know of a mask suitable for kids! Hope to have one for my 19 month old ;)

yanwen said...

Liked! We have a 6 year old at home and I am currently pregnant too. We hope to win this!

Yanwen.love.hippo@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Liked and shared! Tqvm

Kong meifong said...

I have 3 kids . 11, 5 and 19mths . It's so difficult to find a suitable mask for them especially my youngest . While I still hope to bring them out play but is worried about their health , I hope I can win these for them so I can have peace of mind when I bring them out . Thank you so much

FB name - Kong meifong
Email - meifongkong@yahoo.com.sg

Unknown said...

I've LIKED AIR+ Smart Mask's Facebook Page. Thanks for sharing this information!

Unknown said...

1. One Size S mask = For my girl
2. One Size M mask = For myself
3. One Size L mask = For my husband

4. One AIR+ Micro Ventilator = Definitely for my girl

Hope we are the lucky ones! Take care everyone!

Anonymous said...

Haze is bad! Hope to win for my kids!
FB name: chengling
Email: chengling@outlook.com

Anonymous said...

The annual haze is back and i have been searching high & low for this product Missing the clean air we used to have and hopes the rain helps to clear the haze up. Sincerely hope to win 1 set for my family. Liked & Sharing it with buddies

Joy Sung

Jo Ong said...

Pls choose me..

I need the masks for my child & aged in laws

Unknown said...

Liked & shared.
Hope to win it for my family.
Cheers!!

Anonymous said...

done!
fb name: yokie choy
email: yoyo_07@hotmail.com

preciouz said...

Done
Jaime chan chueimei@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Done!
Liked & shared!
FB name: Grace Lee
Email: mailtograce@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hope to win these for my babies and family to protect and fight against the bad haze day ! K3b3l.06@gmail.com
Fb name: jariiszaeden zephyr gary

Jean said...

Done the step. Hope to win this for my 3kids.

Jeantanlj@gmail.com

Lina said...

Looks like a great mask for kids!

Unknown said...

Hope to win a set for my 2nd princess wif heart problem.

Unknown said...

Hope to give my 2 kids to try out d mask as PSI keep increasing!

Anonymous said...

Liked AIR+ Smart Mask page. This is an ingenuous mask and hope to be lucky enough to get them for my family :-)
FB name: Ester Em

Anonymous said...

Great inventions should be share by all... 😷😷😷😷

von said...

Liked. Hope to win. thanks.

KS said...

Hope to win this! Thanks.

FB Name: Kng Suan Goh

princesJJ said...

Done, hope to win these for da family!

SitiNurliza said...

Finally a mask with a great fit for the children! Hope to win. Good luck everybody!

Anonymous said...

Liked. Hope to win these for my 2 daughters.
Adeline

SHIBALI said...

Followed both the steps. Hope to win the smart masks 😷😎

Unknown said...

Hope to win this for my 8 year old prince !

Khim said...

Liked!

Great range of sizes for the entire family. Hope to win for my family.

Unknown said...

My family and I were fortunate to be away down under in 2013 when the haze struck. Now that we have relocated back and have 'survived' the past hazy days, I'm not taking any chances with my family's health. It would be great to win a set; otherwise, I'm going to all the Watson's stores until I find one for all of us four!

Unknown said...

Cool and innovators product! Hope to win this for my family with 2 lovely girls!

Terese said...

Hope to win this for my girls :) ��

Zheng Wei said...

Liked & Shared!

Rina lim said...

done .

hope to win this for my love one . specially my kid.

FB : Rina Lim

Unknown said...

Done with both steps! Really hope to get the masks for my little ones and my family :)
Thanks in advance

Agnes Cheng said...

Done with both steps.

Anonymous said...

Done. Hope to have these for my asthmatic boy and my gal. Thank you.
maychooi99@hotmail.com

Keith n Hazel said...

Hope to win this for my boy who has asthma and say he cant breathe properly with N95. :(

Unknown said...

Done both steps! Thank u for this giveaway :)

Alan Tan said...

Liked & shared.
Hope to win and pass one to my friend 's child.

Unknown said...

Liked and shared!

It would be great for my young family. Sending and fetching the kids from school would literally be a breath of fresh air!

Jane Koh said...

What a life saver for this haze season! Thanks for this review and giveaway.

Ming said...

Liked & Shared.

Thank you

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